Dictonary and Thesaurus

Definition of Active

(a.) Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; -- opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
(a.) Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
(a.) In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
(a.) Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; -- opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
(a.) Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
(a.) Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; -- opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
(a.) Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
(a.) Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
(a.) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice.
(a.) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
(a.) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.